By Amanda Scurlock for The LA Sentinel
Originally published July 1, 2026
Washington Prep senior Jaden Thomas helped the Generals boys’ basketball team make an appearance in the Open Division City Section and Division III State playoffs.
With his contributions, the Generals had a 10-0 Coliseum League record. Thomas had mentorship from his father, who also played basketball.
“It’s helped me a lot, a lot of bad games, bad practices,” Thomas said. “Somebody to talk to, guide me, give me instruction, it’s nice, helpful.”
In January, Thomas scored 31 points and went 65% from the field against Crenshaw High School. The Generals ultimately defeated the Cougars 85-49, Thomas was named Maxpreps Player of the Game.
Thomas has played on several AAU teams, which led him to compete in Texas, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and Nevada.
“It gives you a perspective of how other teams play, how other states play, how much harder they play,” Thomas said. “It’s good to see where your competition is doing that’s not in your state.”
During his senior year, he found a leadership style that best suited him.
“I’m not the biggest talker,” Thomas said. “I’m more of a leader by example.”
Thomas knows that he must prioritize his studies before his athletic endeavors. His favorite class is his forensic science class.
“It’s more than the basketball court. You got to take grades serious, you got the take schools serious,” Thomas said. “Got to do extracurricular stuff outside of practice too, if you want to be good, can’t just come to practice.”
Last season, Thomas experienced a slump. Getting out of his own head, playing free and trusting his work helped him get back into form.
Thomas wants his teammates to have the next-play mentality. He also knows when to give them grace.
“I try to get them not to make any bad mistakes,” he said. “Say they make a bad mistake, I’m not going to let them put their head down. I try to keep them confident … I might yell, but I’m coming from good intentions.”
Thomas aspires to earn a Division I scholarship after playing on the community college level. He also desires to retire his parents early.
“Seeing how hard my dad works for me,” he said about retiring his parents. “Sacrifice a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of money.”